And, which is best and happiest yet, all this Or knock the breast; no weakness, no contempt, Soaked in his enemies' blood, and from the stream Will send for all my kindred, all my friends, With silent obsequy and funeral train, Home to his father's house. There will I build him 1720 1730 1740 Oft he seems to hide his face, But unexpectedly returns, 1750 And to his faithful champion hath in place Bore witness gloriously; whence Gaza mourns, And all that band them to resist His uncontrollable intent. His servants he, with new acquist Of true experience from this great event, With peace and consolation hath dismissed, 66 PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION 1645 THE STATIONER TO THE READER It is not any private respect of gain, Gentle Reader (for the slightest Pamphlet is nowadays more vendible than the works of learnedest men), but it is the love I have to our own Language, that hath made me diligent to collect and set forth such Pieces, both in Prose and Verse, as may renew the wonted honour and esteem of our English tongue; and it's the worth of these both English and Latin Poems, not the flourish of any prefixed encomions, that can invite thee to buy them-though these are not without the highest commendations and applause of the learnedest Academicks, both domestic and foreign, and, amongst those of our own country, the unparalleled attestation of that renowned Provost of Eton, SIR HENRY WOOTTON. I know not thy palate, how it relishes such dainties, nor how harmonious thy soul is: perhaps more trivial Airs may please thee better. But, howsoever thy opinion is spent upon these, that encouragement I have already received from the most ingenious men, in their clear and courteous entertainment of Mr. Waller's late choice Pieces, hath once more made me adventure into the world, presenting it with these ever-green and not to be blasted laurels. Author's more peculiar excellency in these studies was too well known to conceal his Papers, or to keep me from attempting to solicit them from him. Let the event guide itself which way it will, I shall deserve of the age by bringing into the light as true a birth as the Muses have brought forth since our famous SPENSER wrote; whose Poems in these English ones are as rarely imitated as sweetly excelled. Reader, if thou art eagle-eyed to censure their worth, I am not fearful to expose them to thy exactest perusal. "Thine to command, The "HUMPH. MOSELEY." |